Self-employed software engineer Martin Ford wonders whether technology is advancing to the point where automation will replace so many jobs that society will face long-term, structural unemployment. The 46-year-old Sunnyvale man has argued his case in a self-published book, “The Lights in the Tunnel.” He has summarized his thinking on the blog, Angry Bear. Portions of one such essay appear below as Ford says: …

Lessons come in different sizes. When we’re talking about a job search, a lesson might come in the form of a bad career move or the loss of a good chance to network. Ideally, a job search makes you stronger because it gives you a sense of independence and the vulnerably you need to ask for help. …

Challenger, Gray & Christmas continues a 24-year tradition by offering two days of free job search advice on Monday, December 28th and Tuesday, December 29th, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Central Standard Time. The call-in number is 312-422-5010. For details visit www.challengeratworkblog.blogspot.com. …

The world of work remains divided into have-nots and haves. Millions are hard-pressed to even find part-time jobs. But many over-stressed professionals have what economist and author Sylvia Ann Hewlett calls “extreme jobs” that require 60-plus hour work weeks. …

John Tipton, 63, is a tooling engineer for a company in Santa Rosa. He used to run his own business, which he shut for reasons described below. In this essay Tipton worries about the hollowing out of the U.S. manufacturing base. …